MODULE 3 Flashcards
Dignity conserving care
Continuity of self
Role preservation
Maintenance of pride
Hopefulness
Autonomy
Generativity/Legacy work
Acceptance
Resilience
Mindfulness/Being present
Maintaining nomalcy (treating them as a regular person not as a dying)
Finding spiritual comfort
Dignity-conserving care ensures that individuals can maintain a sense of identity and continuity throughout the dying process. This recognition of their individuality helps them navigate the challenges associated with mortality.
Continuity of Self:
By preserving the roles and responsibilities that individuals have played throughout their lives, dignity is maintained. This acknowledgment of their contributions and roles helps in sustaining a positive sense of self.
Role Preservation:
Dignity is closely linked to one’s self-worth and pride. Preserving dignity in the face of illness or the dying process involves recognizing and honoring the individual’s achievements, experiences, and personal attributes.
Maintenance of Pride:
Even in the face of terminal illness, maintaining hope is essential for psychological well-being. Dignity-conserving care allows individuals to find hope in various aspects of life, whether it be in relationships, personal goals, or spiritual beliefs.
Hopefulness
Respecting the autonomy of dying individuals empowers them to make choices about their care and end-of-life decisions. This sense of control over their own lives contributes significantly to the preservation of dignity.
Autonomy
Encouraging individuals to reflect on and share their life experiences, values, and wisdom fosters a sense of generativity. This legacy work can contribute to a feeling of fulfillment and purpose, enhancing overall dignity.
Generativity/Legacy Work
Acknowledging and accepting the reality of the impending death is part of maintaining dignity. Dignity-conserving care involves supporting individuals as they come to terms with their mortality and make peace with their life journey.
Acceptance
Dying individuals often display remarkable resilience in the face of challenges. Preserving dignity recognizes and nurtures this resilience, helping individuals cope with the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the dying process.
Resilience
Providing mindful and present care is important for the emotional well-being of dying individuals. Being present in their lives helps create meaningful connections, fostering a sense of worth and dignity.
Mindfulness/Being Present
Treating dying individuals with respect and normalcy, rather than as mere patients, contributes to their overall sense of dignity. This approach emphasizes their humanity, relationships, and daily routines.
Maintaining Normalcy
Recognizing and addressing spiritual needs is crucial for many individuals facing the end of life. Dignity-conserving care involves providing spiritual support, which can bring comfort, peace, and a sense of connection to something larger than oneself.
Finding Spiritual Comfort
How can we meet emotional needs among dying people?
Summarize: “I hear you saying you are feeling scared. You are not sure what will come next. I can’t take away that fear or answer that, but I can sit with you and be with you.”
Validate: “You are missing your brother. You wish he could be here with you before you die. I wish that for you, too. I see your sadness and your pain. I am here for you.” (NOT saying, “well, at least you can call him!”)
Use encouragers: “Mmhmm”, “Yea…”, “Would you like to tell me more?”
Use silence: sitting together in peace, without demands, can be a powerful gift
Provide physical contact: people have a need to be touched. Dying people may not be touched in an intimate or social way (perhaps from fear of death).
Just be present: Talk, read, sit.
Live: It is okay to talk about life- people are still living!
What are some ways that you can support the family of dying people?
Demonstration of concern
Bending rules
Rapport
Professionalism
Information
Support of decisions
Demonstration of Concern:
Show empathy and genuine care for the emotional well-being of family members.
Listen actively to their concerns, fears, and feelings without judgment.
Offer emotional support and reassurance, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.
Bending Rules:
Flexibility in certain policies or rules to accommodate the unique needs and preferences of the family can be crucial.
Consideration of individual circumstances can help ease the burden on the family during a challenging time.
Rapport:
Build a trusting and open relationship with the family to facilitate effective communication.
Establishing rapport helps create a supportive environment and fosters a sense of partnership in care.
Professionalism:
Maintain a high level of professionalism while interacting with the family.
Clearly communicate roles, responsibilities, and expectations to ensure transparency and trust.
Information:
Provide clear and accurate information about the patient’s condition, prognosis, and available support services.
Ensure that the family is well-informed and understands the choices and decisions they may need to make.
Support of Decisions:
Respect the family’s decisions regarding care, treatment options, and end-of-life choices.
Offer guidance and information to help them make informed decisions, but ultimately respect their autonomy.
